Chapter 42: Cut Off Your Allowance

Yoel rushed into Horington Hospital, tossed a suit at Leyton, and ordered, "Change and come with me!"

"I'm recuperating, Dad! Where are you taking me?" Leyton asked, bemusement etched on his face.

"To a banquet," Yoel replied.

"I don't want to go. My arm is broken, and I'm recuperating. Why should I attend?" Leyton protested.

He'd attended numerous banquets—feasting, drinking, and mutual praise—and the prospect of wearing an uncomfortable suit held little appeal.

"Do you know who's hosting, you bastard? Mr. Grange! Everyone who's anyone in Horington is there! Make a good impression! I'll be handing the Scott family business to you, and I don't want you to ruin it!" Yoel snarled, smacking Leyton's head.

Upon hearing Mr. Grange was hosting, Leyton fell silent. He hastily changed, but his broken arm hindered him.

"Where's your girlfriend? Why isn't she here? Call her to help! Be at the Glamor Hotel at eleven. Don't be late! I have other things to do," Yoel said before leaving.

Leyton immediately called Sandy.

By 10:30 a.m., luxurious cars cluttered the Glamor Hotel entrance. Prominent figures from the political and business worlds had arrived early. They greeted each other before entering with their invitations. Their family members waited outside.

Walter had only invited heads of families and department leaders to keep the guest list small, fearing Jared would be annoyed by a large, noisy crowd.

Leyton arrived with his arm in a cast, supported by Sandy. Seeing the prominent guests, Sandy's heart pounded.

"Behave yourself! These people are important," Yoel warned Leyton.

"I'm not going in, Dad?" Leyton asked, bewildered.

"Of course not! Only heads of families and leaders are invited. What right do you have to enter?" Yoel snapped.

Leyton was furious. "Why did you bring me if I can't go in? I'll roast out here!"

Yoel wanted to kick his son. Plenty of people were waiting outside—a networking opportunity—but Leyton only cared about eating, drinking, and playing.

"I'll cut off your allowance for six months if you're not here when I come out!" Yoel threatened.

The threat of a six-month allowance cut spurred Leyton to fervent agreement. "I won't go anywhere!"

Yoel entered the hotel, leaving Leyton and Sandy to wait in the sun. Jared and Josephine arrived.

"Wait here. I'll arrange for us to enter through the back," Josephine said to Jared.

Jared nodded and waited, unfamiliar with the high-society crowd, idly scrolling through his phone.

Sandy spotted Jared, unnoticed by the others. A sneer crossed her face.

"Ley, isn't that Jared? How's he worthy of the banquet?" she whispered.

The extraneous promotional material has been removed. The language has been cleaned up while retaining the original tone. The punctuation and grammar have been corrected for clarity and flow.